And while its 17 touchdowns allowed were the third-fewest, one particular defensive back was responsible for a gaudy one-third of that total.

Strong safety Quintin Mikell has given up six touchdowns in coverage this year.

Four of those have come in Carolina’s last four games, with three courtesy of the opposition’s tight end.

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Jimmy Graham was one of many tight ends this year who took advantage of Panthers safety Quintin Mikell.

The reputable pundits at Pro Football Focus reveal that Mikell has allowed the ninth-highest passer rating (135.3) and second-most touchdowns among NFL safeties.

He has also coughed up four plays of 20-plus yards and hasn’t tallied a single interception all season.

So, unlike the early season gridiron battle, Davis is healthy for Round 2 of 49ers-Panthers.

Which means offensive coordinator Greg Roman can now call plays utilizing the ideal weapon against the vulnerable Mikell.

Davis is the fastest player on the field at any point in time with his freakish 4.3 speed.

He can outrun any linebacker, including potential Defensive Player of the Year Luke Kuechly. He’s also bigger, faster and stronger than most secondary personnel, especially the 5’10’’, 33-year-old Mikell.

And when it comes to the technical side of things, the 6’3’’ Davis averages the second-most yards per route run at his position (2.12). This tight end can simply outmaneuver any cover man in his way.

Davis’ quarterback, meanwhile, is one of the most accurate downfield passers in the NFL.

Kaepernick boasts the fifth-highest accuracy percentage on passes of 20 or more yards, per PFF. He has 21 completions for 683 yards and six touchdowns on those throws.

Put two and two together, and this quarterback-tight end duo will exploit Mikell deep when this postseason head-to-head comes to fruition.

The 49ers will employ a steady dose of running back Frank Gore to set up the offense, control time of possession, mitigate the pass rush and, for these purposes, establish play action.

Pro Football Focus

Kaepernick is one of the more efficient play-action passers.

Kaepernick ranks No. 4 in the league when it comes to most touchdowns and highest passer rating on those misdirection throws, per PFF.